Reid wishes scenes had been sexier

Anne Reid has told how she wishes she had been even more sexually adventurous in The Mother - the 2003 film which saw her character strip for sex with Daniel Craig.

Anne, then 68, played a woman who finds new love with her daughter's boyfriend, played by 35-year-old Daniel in the film written by Hanif Kureishi.

The actress, now 77, told the Radio Times: "I had doubts at first. I thought it would put people off their tea, and the night before the sex scenes I drank too much champagne, but I'm glad I did it because it was daring and I like challenges.

"I wish I'd been more adventurous, sexually wilder, in the film."

She said: "I was worried I'd look a fool, but, oh blimey, no, I don't regret it. I got noticed and had wonderful trips to film festivals. It brought me other parts, but I was never offered anything sexy. It happened to me a bit too late.

"You have to keep going, keep trying something new. I enjoy life. My instinct would be to sit and watch TV, but I keep pushing myself. You either grow or you sink. I take the next job and hope people keep asking."

The actress's latest project is a six-part BBC One comedy drama, Last Tango In Halifax, in which she plays a widow in her 70s who meets her teenage love, played by Derek Jacobi, after their grandsons put them on Facebook.

"I hope Last Tango gives hope to older people, although attitudes have changed so much," she told the magazine.

"They used to think you were old when you reached 50. Now everyone is looking forward to being like Joan Collins and Jane Fonda. Soon there won't be many grey-haired grannies."